Vane wheels

ABSTRACT

A vane wheel for fluid couplings or torque converters especially for motor vehicles. The vane wheel comprises inner and outer toroidal surfaces and vanes disposed therebetween, in addition anti-rotational bracing members are disposed therebetween Pairs of bracing members may be symmetrically arranged about vanes obliquely between the toroidal surfaces and the intermediate vane.

United States Patent [191 Batteux 11 Jan. 1, 1974 [54] VANE WHEELS2,998,782 9/1961 Ryan et a1 416/180 3,240,153 3/1966 schraderu 416/180[75] Invent Armand Pans France 3,673,659 7/1972 18111161 211. 416/180 ux3 Assigneez Societe Anonyme Francaise D 3,709,635 1/1973 [veg 416/186Ferodo, Paris, France [22] Filed: AP 3, 1972 Primary Examiner-EveretteA. Powell, Jr.

Attorney-Irvin S. Thompson et a1. [21] Appl. No.: 240,517

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT Apr. 9, 1971 France7112664 A Vane wheel for fluid couplings or torque Converters especiallyfor motor vehicles. The vane wheel comprises inner and Outer toroidalSurfaces and vanes [58] Fieid I180 186 posed therebetween, in additionanti-rotationa1 brac.

""""""""""""" 29/1568 ing members are disposed therebetween Pairs ofbracing members may be symmetrically arranged about 56] References Citedvanes obliquely between the toroidal surfaces and the intermediate vane.UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,494,539 1/1950 Bolender 416/180 18 Claims, 12Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAH 119M SHEEI 3 0F 3 FIGS VANE WHEELS Thepresent invention generally concerns vane wheels of the type currentlyused in fluid couplings, torque converters or the like, especially formotor vehicles, and more particularly relates to vane wheels formingpumps or impellers and intended to be fixed to a driving member.

Such vane wheels generally comprise an outer toroidal surface, an innertoroidal surface and a plurality of vanes disposed between the toroidalsurfaces.

In arrangements of this type known at present, the vanes are most oftensecured by lugs to the toroidal surfaces in question, these surfacesbeing provided for this purpose with recesses or slots enabling theinsertion of such lugs.

But owing to the intermittent action of the fluid on the vanes duringoperation, especially during an abrupt change in the torque transmitted,and the significant flexibility of these vanes individually, the innertoroidal surface to which the vanes are connected has the tendency to beangularly displaced relative to the associated outer toroidal surface.

A progressive deterioration of the connections of the vanes relative tothe toroidal surfaces may result, and since the toroidal surfaces are ingeneral connected only by the vanes, such deterioration may lead toirreparable damage to the vane wheels.

This disadvantage is all the more serious for couplings or torqueconverters intended for motor vehicles since the momentary torquetransmitted in such vehicles is higher and higher for predeterminedinertia, because of technological evolution resulting in a reduction ofthe inertia of moving parts, in particular the flywheel, and in anincrease in the power obtained from a reduced number of cylinders whichin large cyclical irregularities and abrupt variations in the torquetransmitted, the effects of which are received directly by the workingfluid of the coupling or torque converters and therefore by the vanesthemselves.

An aim of the present invention is the provision of a vane wheel capableof withstanding such effects.

According to the invention the toroidal surfaces of such a vane wheelare rigidly connected to each other.

The vane wheel according to the invention for couplings or torqueconverters or the like comprises an outer toroidal surface, an innertoroidal surface, a plurality of vanes disposed between these surfaces,and anti-rotational bracing members provided from one toroidal surfaceto the other.

Such anti-rotational bracing members may be formed by simple platesobliquely arranged between the toroidal surfaces, by soldering, brazing,welding or simply embedding or propping, or by bars between the vanesfixed to the inner and outer toroidal surfaces, the said bars beingconnected or formed by a suitable extension of the inner toroidalsurface or by a bend, for example, at right angles at the end of certainvanes, the bend being fixed to the inner and outer toroidal surfaces.

Such anti-rotational bracing members are of such a nature as to preventany undesired rotation of the inner toroidal surface relative to theouter toroidal surface irrespective of the couple transmitted and thevariations therein, and this substantially improves the life of thewheel.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription which follows, given by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying schematic drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a partial view in elevation of a vane wheel;

FIG. 2 is a partial axial section taken along the line IIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view similar to FIG. I of an altemative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in section taken along the line IVIV in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 concerning afurther alternative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 concerning anotheralternative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partial view in section taken along the line VIII-VIII inFIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views similar to those of FIGS. 7 and 8 concerningstill another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 concemin yet anotherembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a partial view similar to FIG. 1 concerning one moreembodiment.

These figures illustrate embodiments of the invention in an impellerwheel for a coupling, torque converter or the like.

Such a wheel comprises in a known manner an outer toroidal surface 10,an inner toroidal surface 11 and a plurality of vanes 12 disposedsubstantially radially between these toroidal surfaces.

In the illustrated embodiments the vanes 12 are planar plates with lugs13 along their outer curved surface to be inserted in complementaryopenings 14 formed for this purpose in the outer toroidal surface 10,and along their inner cuved surface lugs 15 are provided to extendthrough slits 16 formed for this purpose in the inner toroidal surface11 andbent over this surface.

The ends of the vanes which are closer to the axis of the wheel arefurther received in radial slots 17 of an annular central cover 18.

Anti-rotational bracing members are disposed between the toroidalsurfaces 10 and 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 plates 20 are arrangedobliquely from an angular zone or comer 21 formed by the outer toroidalsurface 10 and a vane 12 to an angular zone or corner 22 formed by theinner toroidal surface 11 and the vane immediately adjacent to the firstmentioned vane.

Preferably the plates 20 are associated in pairs, the plates of a pairbeing disposed obliquely and substantially symmetrically about anintermediate vane 12. Such pairs of plates 20 are preferably disposedalong the portion of the toroidal surface 11 having the largest diameterand regularly distributed about the centre of the wheel for exampleevery In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plates 20 arefixed by welding or soldering to the toroidal surfaces 10,11. Instead,the plates may be simply force-fitted between the angular zones 21 and22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the plates obliquely arranged areformed by sections of a single strip 25 having spaced apart bends 26 ofalternating orientations.

These bends 26 are received alternately in grooves or slots 27 in theouter toroidal surface 10 and in the grooves or slots 28 in the innertoroidal surface 11 in line with the vanes 12 between these vanes andthe toroidal surfaces; these receiving portions 27,28 may be formed bymachining or upsetting.

Such obliquely arranged plates 20 provide by a propping action and/orrigidification a robust means for preventing relative rotation of thetoroidal surfaces relative to each other.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,anti-rotational bracing members are formed by right-angle bent portionsat the ends of certain vanes 12 and the fixing to the toroidal surfaces10,11 of the bent portions thus formed.

It is to be emphasized that in the case of right angle bending the bentportions 30 are advantageously forcefitted between the toroidal surfaces10, 11 taking into account the fact that their radial development attheir free end is greater than their radial development at their bendingzone. The weding of the bent portions at the time of their engagementbetween the toroidal surfaces may be sufficient, and their fixing to thetoroidal surfaces may be eliminated, in which case these bent portionsare preferably formed two at a time in opposite directions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 the bent portions 30 are formedfacing one another on two adjacent vanes 12 and are connected by a bar35 which is fixed to the bent portions and to the toroidal surfaces 10,11 by welding, brazing or soldering.

Such a bar 35 is preferably provided with perforations 36 for the flowof fluid between the vanes 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the anti-rotationalbracing members comprise bars 37 which are U-shaped in the radial planeof the wheel and are fixed along their lateral sides to toroidalsurfaces 10, 11 between the vanes 12. In this embodiment the bars extendfrom one vane to another and as in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 5and 6 are perforate. These bars may, however, stop short of the vanesthemselves. The concave surface of the bars face outwardly relative tothe wheel; the concave surface could, however, face inwardly.

Relative to FIGS. 9-11, the bracing members are formed by radialextensions of the inner toroidal surface 11.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 the extensions are towards the exterior 38 and in FIG.11 the extensions are towards the interior.

In any case the extensions 38 and 39 of the inner toroidal surface 11are fixed at one of their ends to the outer toroidal surface 10 bysoldering, welding, brazing or the like. These extensions are preferablyperforate.

The present invention is, of course, not limited to the embodimentsillustrated and described but encompasses all possible arrangements andequivalents. In particular it may be advantageous to modify the shape ofthe bracing members in order to reduce as much as possible disturbanceof the fluid flow in the zone in which they are arranged.

What I claim is 1. A vane wheel for a fluid machine, comprising an innertoroidal surface member, an outer toroidal surface member, a pluralityof discrete independent thin flexible vanes of constant thicknessextending substantially radially and perpendicular to said toroidalsurface members, each vane being secured to each of said toroidalsurface members, anti-rotational bracing members disposed between thetoroidal surface members and extending circumferentially from one ofsaid toroidal surface members to the other at least along a planeperpendicular to the axis common to said toroidal surface memberswhereby said anti-rotational bracing members resist in compression anytendency of relative rotational movement of the toroidal surfacemembers.

2. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein said bracing memberscomprise plates disposed obliquely between an angular zone formed by oneof the toroidal surface members and a vane, and an angular zone formedby the other of the toroidal surface members and a vane immediatelyadjacent to the first-mentioned vane.

3. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein each plate is associatedwith another similar, obliquely arranged plate forming a pair of platessymmetrically arranged about the vane therebetween.

4. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein each plate is fastened toat least one of the toroidal surface members.

5. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein each plate is force-fittedin the angular zones.

6. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein each plate is part of astrip with spaced apart bends alternately received between the outertoroidal surface and a vane and the inner toroidal portions and anadjacent vane.

7. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein each plate has a curvedsurface.

8. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein bracing members comprisebent vane end portions.

9. A vane wheel according to claim 8, wherein the bent vane end portionsare fixed to the toroidal surface members.

10. A vane wheel according to claim 8, wherein the bent vane endportions are grouped in pairs and forcefitted between the opposedtoroidal surface members.

11. A vane wheel according to claim 8, wherein a bar extends from onebent vane end portion to an adjacent bent vane end portion, said barbeing fixed to said bent vane end portions and to the toroidal surfacemembers.

12. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein the anti-rotationalbracing members comprise bars joined to the toroidal surfaces betweentwo vanes.

13. A vane wheel according to claim 12, wherein said bars extend fromone vane to a vane immediately adjacent thereto.

14. A vane wheel according to claim 12, wherein said bars form radialextension of the inner toroidal surface member.

15. A vane wheel according to claim 12, wherein said bars have U-shapedsections along the radial plane of the wheel.

16. A vane wheel according to claim 12, wherein said bars are perforate.

17. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein the anti-rotationalbracing members are regularly distributed about the common axis.

18. A vane wheel according to claim 1 wherein the anti-rotationalbracing members are disposed along the portion of the inner toroidalsurface member having the largest diameter.

=8 III

1. A vane wheel for a fluid machine, comprising an inner toroidalsurface member, an outer toroidal surface member, a plurality ofdiscrete independent thin flexible vanes of constant thickness extendingsubstantially radially and perpendicular to said toroidal surfacemembers, each vane being secured to each of said toroidal surfacemembers, anti-rotational bracing members disposed between the toroidalsurface members and extending circumferentially from one of saidtoroidal surface members to the other at least along a planeperpendicular to the axis common to said toroidal surface memberswhereby said anti-rotational bracing members resist in compression anytendency of relative rotational movement of the toroidal surfacemembers.
 2. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein said bracingmembers comprise plates disposed obliquely between an angular zoneformed by one of the toroidal surface members and a vane, and an angularzone formed by the other of the toroidal surface members and a vaneimmediately adjacent to the first-mentioned vane.
 3. A vane wheelaccording to claim 2, wherein each plate is associated with anothersimilar, obliquely arranged plate forming a pair of plates symmetricallyarranged about the vane therebetween.
 4. A vane wheel according to claim2, wherein each plate is fastened to at least one of the toroidalsurface members.
 5. A vane wheel according to claim 2, wherein eachplate is force-fitted in the angular zones.
 6. A vane wheel according toclaim 2, wherein each plate is part of a strip with spaced apart bendsalternately received between the outer toroidal surface and a vane andthe inner toroidal portions and an adjacent vane.
 7. A vane wheelaccording to cLaim 2, wherein each plate has a curved surface.
 8. A vanewheel according to claim 1, wherein bracing members comprise bent vaneend portions.
 9. A vane wheel according to claim 8, wherein the bentvane end portions are fixed to the toroidal surface members.
 10. A vanewheel according to claim 8, wherein the bent vane end portions aregrouped in pairs and force-fitted between the opposed toroidal surfacemembers.
 11. A vane wheel according to claim 8, wherein a bar extendsfrom one bent vane end portion to an adjacent bent vane end portion,said bar being fixed to said bent vane end portions and to the toroidalsurface members.
 12. A vane wheel according to claim 1, wherein theanti-rotational bracing members comprise bars joined to the toroidalsurfaces between two vanes.
 13. A vane wheel according to claim 12,wherein said bars extend from one vane to a vane immediately adjacentthereto.
 14. A vane wheel according to claim 12, wherein said bars formradial extension of the inner toroidal surface member.
 15. A vane wheelaccording to claim 12, wherein said bars have U-shaped sections alongthe radial plane of the wheel.
 16. A vane wheel according to claim 12,wherein said bars are perforate.
 17. A vane wheel according to claim 1,wherein the anti-rotational bracing members are regularly distributedabout the common axis.
 18. A vane wheel according to claim 1, whereinthe anti-rotational bracing members are disposed along the portion ofthe inner toroidal surface member having the largest diameter.